We are three. Here in this huge city of skyscrapers and ribbon roads, hotpot restaurants and river views, we have made our little cocoon and can call ourselves happy. I realized that it's been a year since we got Tomas, and he was so small and so furry then, more fur than muscle or bone, and timid and shy. Now he has grown into his own, his personality big and loud, playfulness, loyalty, love all rolled into one.

Being three has given a new dimension to life here, and it's true what they say, you eventually get bored being a couple, and so many take the next step. For us, that is Tomas.

I love the sun, how it dances and plays on the tips of leaves and how it bathes footpaths and even shady streets with its warmth and light. This is perhaps the reason why the incoming winter season is particularly hard. I am a sun person, I live for blue skies and vibrant colors, and the scent of the ocean, if you have one of those, please.

This is also the reason why I have a special appreciation for those rare days when the fog parts, the temperature rises just enough and we can walk and enjoy colors and warm weather, even for just a day. These days are made for the big girl camera, for taking in the details as they are recorded for reminiscing when days are less bright and colorful.

I love the sun. And aside from family and love and all good things, the sun is what I'm most thankful for.

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”

― Ruth Reichl

It's getting colder and that means there's going to be a spike in soup and spicy noodle cravings all over the city. Ramen does it for me when hot and spicy Chongqing fare becomes too much for my stomach to handle. And it's really great that the city has dozens of authentic ramen places to satisfy hunger cravings that are so specific, they want nothing more than the creamy taste of miso and the satisfying softness of thin pork slices laid out lovingly on a bed of firm and authentic Japanese noodles.

This is one of the ramen houses near GYQ that we featured for KNOT back in the first half of the year. It was so fun tasting some of their offerings as we got to know the young owner as well. The restaurant was larger than most Japanese restaurants in the city, with its higher ceilings and big windows. But the ramen more than satisfied.

There's so much that I wanted to go right with the ceremony that we had last August. And although we were so happy with how everything turned out, I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't change a thing. Because I would have changed SOOOOO many things, including having my Lolo there. But that's DIY weddings for you. The beauty sometimes lies in the imperfections, knowing that it's the people gathered who matter and being thankful for everything else that fit so perfectly according to the script that's in your head.

What I wouldn't change for anything in the world is our decision to make the giveaways ourselves. We wanted something natural and small enough for people to nibble on as they make their way home.

So we picked nuts!

Baking them was a milestone, too, since it was the first time that we used the home oven. Getting the thing to work required more than a few glances at the manual, but pretty soon our tiny house was awash in the comforting smells of baking almonds, walnuts, and peanuts. That's one memory of the days leading to August 18 that will remain with me, because it was just the two of us doing the scooping and filling and it was exactly how I'd imagined us doing it. The decision also made me discover how nuts make the perfect substitute for Pringles for those nights when I get bored and hungry. This may not be that groundbreaking, couples' decision to be hands-on with certain aspects of their wedding. And I'm sure other couples have done far better jobs than we did with ours. But I'm glad we did, because the memories of choosing and making and stressing over things made the 18th so much more memorable.

My family has this tradition of going out for drives especially when we get together after some time spent apart. It's been that way since we were little and I'm glad we still love doing it today. We have spent many long afternoons on these kinds of drives, meandering through the small streets of Valencia, down the wider streets of Bacong and further on to the beach-side roads of Dauin and Siaton. All of these come with good memories that I go back to over and over again, more often now that I spend so much time away from home. All these memories of being wonderfully lost with my family cramped in one car, with no destination but the road in front of us keeps me excited for the next vacation when we can do it all over again.

This one was in Tambobo Bay, on a scorching hot Wednesday after a filling lunch at Malatapay. Even with all the good things that we enjoy here, there is no place better than home.